SUPPORT PAID FAMILY LEAVE SENATE BILL 221

March 14, 2016

NASW/CT LEGISLATIVE ALERT

SUPPORT PAID FAMILY LEAVE

SENATE BILL 221

The Legislature is considering legislation that will create a Paid Family Leave program – Senate Bill 221: An Act Concerning Paid Family and Medical Leave. NASW/CT supports this bill as an important step in supporting families. We urge members to contact your state legislators and ask that they pass Paid Family Leave in this legislative session.

Here are some talking points you may choose to use.

First and foremost personal experience is the most powerful message. If you have needed to take family or medical leave share your story. Why did you need to take leave? Was it a financial hardship? How did it impact on your life?

Do you have clients who have needed leave? Could they afford to take it? Telling client stories is impactful.

The current Family and Medical Leave law is for unpaid For most low and moderate income households unpaid leave is like no leave at all. If one cannot afford to use the leave it does no good even though the law exists.

Employees who know they have the protection of paid leave are much more likely to be productive by knowing they have protection if the need arises.

There is no cost to the employer. The system will be paid for by a employee at a cost of approximately one-half of one percent of an employee’s income.

Contact Your State Legislators

Tell them you are a constituent and a social worker. Urge them to VOTE YES on SB 221.